Effects of moderate‐ and high‐intensity chronic exercise on brain‐derived neurotrophic factor expression in fast and slow muscles

Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein expression is sensitive to cellular activity. In the sedentary state, BDNF expression is affected by the muscle phenotype. Methods: Eighteen Wistar rats were divided into the following 3 groups: sedentary (S); moderate‐intensity training (MIT); and high‐intensity training (HIT). The training protocol lasted 8 weeks. Forty‐eight hours after training, total RNA and protein levels in the soleus and plantaris muscles were obtained. Results: In the plantaris, the BDNF protein level was lower in the HIT than in the S group ( P  < 0.05). A similar effect was found in the soleus (without significant difference). In the soleus, higher Bdnf mRNA levels were found in the HIT group ( P  < 0.001 vs. S and MIT groups). In the plantaris muscle, similar Bdnf mRNA levels were found in all groups. Conclusions: These results indicate that high‐intensity chronic exercise reduces BDNF protein level in fast muscles and increases Bdnf mRNA levels in slow muscles. Muscle Nerve 53: 446–451, 2016